ACB nabs civic staffer taking Rs3 Lakh bribe, booze

A class one officer of the BMC was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Thane while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs3 lakh and alcohol from an octroi agent. The ACB, during its raids, also found fixed deposit documents worth Rs63.9 lakh, luxury cars and a few properties in his possession.

According to the ACB officials, the accused, Sunil Baliram Bane, 55, deputy assessor and collector, vigilance department of BMC, demanded the bribe in return for not taking any action against the octroi agents while transporting the vehicles.

AB Sapkal, inspector at ACB Thane said, "On Monday, the complainant had transported several vehicles from outside the city. The agent paid an octroi of Rs10 lakh, the requisite amount, and deposited it in Bane's Kanjurmarg office." However, Bane allegedly told the agent that the actual octroi amount that he was supposed to pay was Rs30 lakh and that he was spared of several lakhs. "Bane told the agent that he would not take any action against him if he paid Rs3 lakh as bribe. He also demanded alcohol, in addition to the cash," added Sapakal.

Bane asked the complainant to hand over the bribe at around 9pm on Tuesday near his residence near Castle Mills Complex, in Thane. The complainant approached the ACB and narrated the incident. "We asked the complainant to go with the money and alcohol at the said spot. We laid a trap and caught him red-handed accepting the bribe of Rs3 lakh and bottles of Black Dog whisky worth about Rs16,000," said Sapakal

Bane was arrested under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bane has served more than two decades with the BMC. "Upon raiding his house, we found fixed deposits and bank documents worth Rs63.9 lakh. Also, Bane owns three flats, two in Mulund and one in Nahur. He also owns a few luxury cars. The accused is suspected to have been involved in more cases of corruption. We are in the process of raiding his office. We are assessing the legitimacy of his fixed deposits and properties," added Sapakal.